WSYR Local News

Alleged Copper Thief Nabbed In Syracuse

Members of the Syracuse Police Department responded to a residence on Butternut St. at about 12:45 AM this morning after 911 received a complaint of a possible burglary in progress.

While officers were still enroute to the location, 911 provided responding officers with a description of the male suspect who fled from the scene on foot just prior to police arrival.Officer Robert Ripley began checking the immediate area and located a male on S. Carbon St. who matched the description of the male suspect.

Officer Ripley began to approach the male suspect, but the suspect fled on foot and was apprehended after a short foot chase and struggle.The male suspect was identified as 48 year old Hector Ayala of 211 Hier Ave. in Syracuse.The investigation revealed that Ayala had entered the basement of an apartment building and was in the process of cutting and removing copper water pipes when he became startled and fled the building.

Ayala was charged with the felonies of Burglary in the Second Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, and the misdemeanor of Resisting Arrest.Ayala was lodged in the Justice Center and is scheduled to be arraigned today in Syracuse City Criminal Court.